January 17, 2008
Posted: 07:50 AM ET
McCain's campaign launched a 'Truth Squad' to fend off possible smears in South Carolina.
McCain's campaign launched a 'Truth Squad' to fend off possible smears in South Carolina.

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (CNN) — The balmy South Carolina campaign trail may be getting unusually frosty for GOP Sen. John McCain as rival Republican strategists offer fresh criticisms of his campaign's tactics.

Over the last week, McCain's South Carolina "Truth Squad" has arranged multiple conference calls to defend its candidate from negative campaigning.

But opponents say his campaign has been exaggerating the attacks against him — taking advantage of the ghosts of 2000 in a bid to win sympathy from the media and voters.

In 2000, McCain was the target of a whisper campaign alleging that he fathered a black child while married to his wife, Cindy. The truth was McCain and his wife had adopted their daughter, Bridget, from Bangladesh.

In 2008, the Arizona senator's staff is "trying to make McCain the victim," said senior Thompson adviser Rich Galen.

"But 'the victim of what?' is, I think, a legitimate question. His victimhood is kind of empty," Galen said.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

– CNN South Carolina Producer Peter Hamby

Filed under: John McCain • South Carolina


Jim   January 18th, 2008 4:38 pm ET

McCain isn't the solution he is the problem.

Carl,Mesa,AZ.   January 17th, 2008 7:37 pm ET

McAmnesty should go ahead and QUIET.
Why , because he is a RINO, just in case you don't know what RINO means I am going to tell you.
Republican In Name Only= RINO
Mc Amnesty is the best canidate for the Democrats'

pmac   January 17th, 2008 6:29 pm ET

Personally I don't care for any of the politicos running for the presidentcy. The corporate news media lets us see who they may want to
win and ignore the others (Such as Kucinich-who I favor), Edward doesn't get as much time as Hillary or Obama. Looks Like the are trying to push Ron Paul to the side even though he has stomped Guliani and Thompson. The Supreme Court
ruled against letting Kucinich join in the democratic debate in Nevada. The Supreme Court ruled that Shrub should be the president in 2000. Now they're pickin' who we can vote for! What if they held an election and nobody showed up?!
Ah Hell - -That wouldn't work - -The Supreme Court would probably give Us Shrub back. Why the hell would a bunch of people spend a billion dollars of other peoples money for an job that pays $400K year?

Pete   January 17th, 2008 6:15 pm ET

You guys really should check McPain's voting records. Once you do, you would never consider him. Even here in AZ, he will obviously loose and he's the Senator here!! He is a war monger, don't know much about economy, and his comprehensive illegal immigration bill is a JOKE!

If final face off is Romney and Obama, I'd be happy regardless who wins. I have faith the country move to a much better direction.

Duncan, Richmond, VA   January 17th, 2008 5:52 pm ET

I am surprised that McCain is the front runner. He has NO chance of beating any Democrat because he is tied so closely with Bush. Don't know if anyone has seen the Presidents rating, but in the General, you are likely to get most Independents voting against anything to do with Bush.. A Bush supporter can NOT win..

The thought of getting 'more of the same' for the next 4 years will result in a crushing defeat for the Republicans.

william walsh columbus ohio   January 17th, 2008 4:58 pm ET

i think as soon as gw endorces mcain and wants to pal around with him it will be over for him, besides there buds, i cant wait to see who the idiot wants to back, all that camaigning for nothing, lol now thats priceless,

william walsh columbus ohio   January 17th, 2008 4:24 pm ET

mclain another 4 yrs of bush, and his policys, thats what your getting here,buss as usual,he wont change a thing and he has to many people he owes in the house and congress/senate, hes bush all over again, if he gets elected im moving out of the country

David   January 17th, 2008 4:06 pm ET

McFlip or McFlop?

Carl,Mesa,AZ.   January 17th, 2008 4:02 pm ET

I live in Arizona and I know of John McCain first hand.
He is a war hero ,o.k. I will give him that.
I was in that war also.
However I would not vote John McCain for dog catcher.
John McCain is a traitor to the American people.
Why,because is for AMNESTY for the millions of illegal aliens that are in this country and he was a co sponsor along with Ted Kennedy(D) of the failed ILLEGAL ALIEN REFORM ACT last year.
My vote in the Arizona primary will be for Mitt Romney.

Jonathan, UT   January 17th, 2008 3:33 pm ET

Hey CNN? I don't know much about John McCain, but this is good reporting. No spin, and its about something that matters. Kudos to Peter Hamby .

Attacks by the Establishment   January 17th, 2008 3:30 pm ET

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA – Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul says a proposal to raise the federal gasoline tax is the last thing the American people need in a slumping economy. The recommendation comes from a panel made of corporate executives and government bureaucrats commissioned by Congress in the 2005 transportation bill. Congressman Paul was one of nine votes in the House against the bill.

“This is a great example of how out of touch big government and big business are with the American people,” Paul said. “With gas at three dollars a gallon and a slowing economy, the last thing we need is a tax increase to be paid by Americans who can least afford it.”

Paul called on the other presidential candidates to join him in opposing this and any other tax increase proposals that come down in the future.

###

People in the House and Senate like McCain have gotten this country in a mess and only someone like Ron Paul can get us out of it but it will be painful!

Mario   January 17th, 2008 3:26 pm ET

Well I don't hear Thompson saying anything directly about insane McCain, it just has to be one of his staff, did Fred givehim the go ahead to do it so he wouldn't have to facethat he was directly involved, who knows.

Fred and McCain are friends and he won't say anything bad about mcCain, so leave it to the media to blow it out of proportion…just the media trying to get involved in politics and make news.

Go Mitt!

ms   January 17th, 2008 2:44 pm ET

rachel lanore January 11, 2008 10:15 pm ET

What does all this say about McCain's character? These blurbs are from goggling his wives…. Carol, Cindy… wow…

According to the newspaper, McCain returned to Jacksonville in 1973 after more than five years as a prisoner of war to find that his wife was a different person. Carol McCain, once a model, had been badly injured in a car wreck in 1969. The article recounts that her injuries "left her 4 inches shorter and on crutches, and she gained a good deal of weight."
By 1979, McCain was concerned that his Naval career was not advancing and pondering his future. He met Cindy Hensley, an attractive 25-year-old woman from a wealthy Arizona family. McCain courted her and married her in May 1980 — a month after getting a divorce.
Carol McCain waited for the return of her husband from his Vietnamese captivity for five and a half long years; as McCain idolator David Grann put it in the New Republic, she was "a kind of modern-day Penelope to McCain's Odysseus." She carried her burden with nobility, and resolve, staying faithful to the man she refused to believe she had lost – even in the face of her own tragedy. It was Christmas Eve, 1969, while driving along a snowbound street, that she went crashing into a telephone pole: the impact hurled her through the windshield. She lost her left leg, ruptured her spleen, and went through a long series of agonizingly painful operations. Before the accident, she had been a statuesque beauty who worked as a model; she came out of it with four inches subtracted from her height, broken in body – but not in spirit. Her love for her war hero husband forbade her from letting him know anything of her condition: he knew nothing of the accident, and she refused to write him about it since it would only make his burden heavier.

From Justin's website;
THE RETURN OF THE INGRATE
Any man would be lucky to have such a fierce, unbending love: she stuck by him, agitating for his release, and living for the day of his return. Her devotion was repaid with rejection. He learned of her accident on the plane home, and wasted no time in getting rid of her. He was soon back to his old tricks of playing the field – "just as he had at the Naval Academy," says Grann – and soon sought a divorce. He openly acknowledges that his behavior was solely responsible for the break-up of his marriage, and seems to glory in the macho role while simultaneously professing at least some sense of remorse: "I think she has reason to be bitter," McCain told one interviewer.

I think this is going to be a problem again for Him, plus the Keating Five

Val Davydov, MA   January 17th, 2008 2:28 pm ET

One more thing. Mr. Righteous (Huck) said that he doesn't believe in running negative campaings attacking other candidates and now he is doing exactly that - and he is doing that to his own buddy. How very sad.

John G, New York, NY   January 17th, 2008 2:02 pm ET

To hmmmmm,

1) Your argument regarding the electoral college doesn't hold water. Only in highly unusual situations in our history has the popular vote of the nation been different from the outcome of the votes that were cast in the electoral college (the most recent was Gore in '00). While it may be the electoral equivalent to tonsils (it might have had a purpose at one time - but is relatively useless now), IN NO WAY DOES THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE DIMINISH THE INFLUENCE OF YOUR VOTE.

2) Please stop confusing the role of primaries with the role of a general election. The role of the primaries is to provide a means by which a PARTY selects its candidate for office. Parties are not government bodies and, while they are regulated by the government, they are accountable first and foremost to their own members. So, if you want to be part of the selection process for a candidate, I'd suggest that you get active in the party that you most support.

At the end of the day, you can vote for whoever you want in November - including anyone who might not have won nomination by their party.

Anon, VA   January 17th, 2008 1:54 pm ET

david W. Lewis Houston Tx January 17, 2008 9:33 am ET

To Romney staffer: The quote is not from Hamlet, doofus, it's from MacBeth
——————————————————————————————————-
Sorry, David - you're mistaken. Careful throwing about those names; you don't want one coming back your way (& no, I'm not sending it to you).

The quote is paraphrased from Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 2:

Gertrude: "The lady doth protest too much, methinks."

(Feel free to look it up)

David, Oregon City   January 17th, 2008 1:38 pm ET

Ley's agree, Mccain can't win his party's vote. Then what? I have been listening to the Upper Class media today and for weeks talking about another gentleman from Hope. Most of the commentators agree the "bunker mentality" is a general election discussion Huckabee is moving toward. In truth Bush must be listening of late for he is beginning to move toward such a policy of talking to world leaders even our enemies the Foreign policy position Huckabee advocates in the article. Huckabee is a rare Republican that thinks using both sides of his brain and sees "green" cares about broken humanity and is endorsed by the NEA. He is a Republican cut of a different clothe that social conservatives, moderates and actually even some liberals can and will support! The elite and establishment Republicans despise Huckabee’s broken humanity policy and are praying the great fish (not a trout) of the bible will swallow him in the Republican primary sea! They mostly care about their money or selfishly the borders within their own habitation! The more they pray their Pharisaical prayers and preach their negative messages and God knows they are coming out of the woodwork the higher Mike goes in the Polls. I must say I am amused! There are even some right wing Arkansas Legislative Republicans that supported a policy which would allow migrant children to suffer or even possible die rather than provide for them medicine. They add to their position of closing the border (which Huckabee supports) an additional policy of not providing medication, or feeding the poor. They preach this policy as if it is from Jesus’s teachings. I am not sure what bible they have been reading. I have not found that policy in mine. The one I own and the one Mother Teresa read states “suffer the little children to come unto me”. I guess the Pharisaical Republicans have added to their bible we must ask what country the children come from and we must look at the color of their skin and if they are not “white American” they are illegal or different and we must not help them. You are right Governor Mike we are a better Country than that. Even Michael Moore is more right on this position than the right wing Pharisaical Republican Legislators fighting Mike Huckabee’s broken humanity policy that gives a human touch to Government.
I recall in a debate some years back when a Democrat said to a Republican candidate called Dan something to the effect “you are no John F. Kennedy”. Hmm, I think the press is finally getting it that Mike Huckabee is no Pat Robinson. Elect ability? Huckabee beat the Clinton machine in Arkansas four times so I’ll let you answer that. Ed Rollins Reagan’s Architect and now Mike’s still likes donuts and booze and may be getting older and balder but his memory is still good and I think he’s got one more winning campaign in him. Ed remembered Democrats prayed for the Republican nomination of B rated movie star and eventual Governor Ronnie Reagan in 1980 and their prayers were answered. I guess they forgot to pray about the general election for Reagan won with a landslide. I read a few days ago a headline on Drudge and elsewhere the Democrats were again in a “silent” prayer mode for another “B rated star” guy in this case the “Mike” guy called Huckabee who they want to be the Republican nominee. They better be careful what they pray for because he is clothed in the same clothe as Reagan a “Great Communicator and Chief”! I wonder if their prayers will be answered again. Yes we agree with Mike “Jesus is to smart to run for office” and let us add to take sides but I do look forward to watching those old rerun movies with a B star actor replaced by a “Mike” guy.

Val Davydov, MA   January 17th, 2008 1:17 pm ET

Carrie,

What does "no dought" mean?

And yeah, I admire McCain for his service to our country - he is a true hero in my book - but it will be a HUGE mistake if he gets Republican nomination. Reasons why: McCain's opposition to Marriage Amendement, The Gang of 14, McCain-Feingold, McCain-Kennedy Immigration Amnesty Bill, and his opposition to Bush tax cuts. McCain is more liberal and conservative and Republicans will not vote for him in general. Sorry.

Bill - Columbia MD   January 17th, 2008 1:02 pm ET

The more folks attack McCain, the firmer my support of his candidacy. Usually when you're as hated as Senator McCain, that means you're probably doing something right. Given how the way many people adversely react to his principaled stand on so many issues, I really don't think this country deserves his leadership. It can settle for something less.

Barbarossa   January 17th, 2008 12:50 pm ET

Wow McCain is still reeling from being emasculated by Bush and his dirty tactician, Rove. It is pretty ironic that the biggest draft dodger of our time (BUSH) ended up emasculating two Vietnam vets (McCain and Kerry) and then has no qualms about sending thousands of troops into a war founded on lies so that his family can get even richer in the oil business. To top it all off he has not made any move to help returning Iraq vets to get over their traumatic experiences - some of them need help. The Republican party is really the party for the veteran - NOT!! It is evident by whom they have selected to represent them.

John McCain really lost my respect when he sat down to take the trash that Bush threw at him. He should have been stronger to buck the Bush administration and its policy of lies.

Cat, Costa Mesa, CA   January 17th, 2008 12:42 pm ET

Hey david W. Lewis Houston Tx,

Check your facts!

Hamlet Act 3, scene 2
"The lady doth protest too much, methinks."

Who's the "Doofus" now?

CC   January 17th, 2008 11:35 am ET

Huck does like to do the spin job on LOTS of things he HAS done in the past and is STILL doing on the campaign trail! He's a SLICK, MANIPULATIVE guy with a comfortable exterior. I sure hope South Carolinans don't vote for him because he is a Baptist preacher. This country has got to have someone with REAL businessworld experience and a real education! Please don't vote for religion….or for an entertaining fellow….when we NEED a statesman in the White House!

Steve   January 17th, 2008 11:33 am ET

Truth squad? Give me a break.I'd call it the "spin" squad. McCain is just lucky the media has been so nice to him. His record is far from squeaky clean. I'm sick of the McCain-loving media rhetoric, painting McCain as the "real" candidate, the "straight-talker" and Romney as the "fake", the "phony", "pandering" to voters. It is absolute hogwash! Romney is the most real and capable candidate, and that fact has the media and the dems scarred stiff. Romney can win this thing. McCain has flip-flopped numerous times, he even flip-flopped on his first wife. Now he is crying out as the 'victim', that is far from "straight talk".

rodlang   January 17th, 2008 11:24 am ET

Does good ole Huck still want to replace the Constitution with the Bible…does Thompson even have a pulse?

Dan in TX   January 17th, 2008 11:20 am ET

Huckabee's campaign says: “The free pass for McCain is over. The next few days in South Carolina will be rough and tumble. Although we will continue to take the high road…"

I like the disclaimer that precedes what will become the attack ad. Yes, OK for Huck to do it as long as he says it's something else.

Wilberto Jimenez, Monmot, MD   January 17th, 2008 11:15 am ET

So ? This isn't surprising. McCain's a liberal Republican trying to use every weapon at his disposal to look appealing in a VERY conservative state. McCain didn't lose the 2000 primary because of South Carolina, he lost it because G.W. Bush ran a slicker campaign and was more attractive to SC voters. McCain's strength is in appealing to liberals. If he finishes in the Top-3 with 15% of the vote, it'll be enough of a success.

AJ, Iowa City, IA   January 17th, 2008 11:09 am ET

"SOUL PATROL!!!"

hmmm...OKLAHOMA   January 17th, 2008 11:00 am ET

I believe that the voting system in this country is fatally flawed. Delegates, just as the Electoral College, really serve to rob the majority of American people of what they actually want. Although, often times, the people in both of these electing parties will go with the candidate of their states' choice, they also have the option not cast a vote for their states' decision on a candidate. Yes, they may face possible penalties from the people (ie. not being re-elected), but the damage is still done if their decision translates into either a party nomination or a presidential win. Honestly, I wonder why this isn't reported on more often…the media tends to "over-hype" the importance of the average person's vote in the race, rather than pointing out that no matter the outcome of the race, the American people lose every time. I call the the voting process "rigged for the establishment." Our people don't choose the president, our government does.

Mccain Supporter   January 17th, 2008 10:58 am ET

John Mccain is the best one for the job bar none!!

Jenny, Paxton, MA   January 17th, 2008 10:55 am ET

People, go to the candidates websites, read about their plans and ideas, and ask your own questions for their own answers!!!!!! stop waisting your time on the corporate mass media!!!!!!!!!!!! CNN is part of the problem, not solution!!!!!!!!!!

Jenny, Paxton, MA   January 17th, 2008 10:53 am ET

CNN, does it ever occur to you that you NEVER report on any substance of any import??????????

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ   January 17th, 2008 10:50 am ET

Well, I hope that all of the voters in South Carolina vote first of all. When it comes who to vote for, the voters need to look at all the issues, even the ones that don't matter to them. After all the candidates have been reviewed, the voters need to weigh all the issues and then make their decision based on that.

Nick, Texas   January 17th, 2008 10:38 am ET

It's becoming clearer and clearer that the only victim in this year's president election is the average American citizen. Candidates - just save yourself the time and stop flinging mud. We loathe you all equally at this point.

Sensible Cape Coral Fl   January 17th, 2008 10:35 am ET

If McCain is nominated, special attention mu st be given to the choice of VP. He is not a young man and does have a history of skin cancer.

Annette   January 17th, 2008 10:28 am ET

McCain is a "has-been" who has done NOTHING positive while he has been a senator. He has lived off the taxpayer's (quite well) and is owed nothing. I don't know why people would want to elect any senator who has been/is a member of the senate. If they could have been part of the solution, why haven't they already done so? What changes if they get a better seat? Listen closely to waht all the candidates are saying…just what we want to hear…once they figure out what that is! Go Mitt! At least he has a PROVEN track record of making sound judgement resulting in positive progress towards a goal!

John G, New York, NY   January 17th, 2008 10:22 am ET

Gee….for the party that dished out the Swift Boaters, they whine a lot when the same methods are applied to them.

What crybabies.

Joe, Boston   January 17th, 2008 10:21 am ET

Fred Thompson is still in the race? What a joker!

George, Billerica, Mass.   January 17th, 2008 10:20 am ET

Gotta love the Republicans, who just can't stomach McCain because he's too liberal for them. All this could backfire on Huckabee, Thompson, AND McCain. Watch for Romney to come in a "surprise" second place.

Ralph   January 17th, 2008 10:20 am ET

You have it wrong, Obama is the front runner in the Playing the Victim Campaign.
McCain's campaign is being conducted with integrity and honor.

David, Oregon City   January 17th, 2008 10:14 am ET

WOW,, John McCain and “Gubber” Gram, was considered a treat six months ago to the Republican party and unliked by most conservatives for their liberal work in the Senate. Most conservatives will remember McCain’s “gang of 14” and who wrote the McCain - Feingold bill! No way Jose!

Anonymous   January 17th, 2008 10:07 am ET

If I were him, I would be overly cautious too. If he didn't, he would be attacked for making the same mistakes as in 2000 and being weak.

Mary R.   January 17th, 2008 9:58 am ET

The elite and media have one thing in common this season. Calling Mike Huckabee a populist and baptist preacher. They rarely mention that he was a two term govenor of Arkansas unless it's tied with painting his record as if he were a democrat. They cry out "He wears his religion on his sleeve. Watch Out! Watch Out!" Like the cockroach who scatters in the light, so is their warnings to thier own kind. It's not religion that scares them but rather that their deeds may be exposed. Government is ordained to be the protector of the exploited.

bob   January 17th, 2008 9:53 am ET

This McCain has a screw loose!!

Patty D.   January 17th, 2008 9:49 am ET

Get ready folks! The swiftboaters are going to attack everyone! These are the guys that made George Bush look good and John Kerry look bad! I can't believe they pulled that off. These guys have no morals. I think I'll turn of my T.V. the entire month of Nov. 2008

Ben   January 17th, 2008 9:40 am ET

Huckabee has been attacked far more than McCain. Go Mike!

Robert Bell   January 17th, 2008 9:38 am ET

"Oh so John is taking a page from Hillary and, when the going gets tough, he's a victim of something or other…"

Oh, I don't know. I think John McCain has faced tougher things in his life than Fred Thompson or Hillary Clinton.

This is the guy - a real war hero - whose reputation was trashed by draft-dodging George W. Bush in the last election. You can't blame him for taking pre-emptive measures against swift-boating.

(And despite all that, he was still loyal to his party and his party's nominee when GW won the nomination).

Let's not sink an honorable man in view of these marginal clowns this time around, OK?

I mean, a TV actor?

The fundamentalist preacher?

The liberal Mormon?

The failed mayor of New York?

Why are we even talking about these other folks? I am sure they are nice men and all, but hardly Presidential timber.

I see only one President in this group. John McCain.

david W. Lewis Houston Tx   January 17th, 2008 9:33 am ET

To Romney staffer: The quote is not from Hamlet, doofus, it's from MacBeth

Attacks by the Establishment   January 17th, 2008 9:17 am ET

McCain will not win South Carolina because he has attacked Southern Heritage!

Southerers support the 10th Amendment just as the media supports the 1st Amendment. Southerners are already attacked by special laws such as so called civil rights and voting rights laws as well as other laws aimed directly at the people of the South. McCain would only increase the abuse and mistreatment of the people in Dixie with his anti-south views.

There are only two conservative candidates who understand the 10th Amendment and true history of the fight for independence by the Confederate States of America and Ron Paul is one of them. When the tyrant Lincoln's own Supreme Court Justice was asked what would happen if a trial was held for then President Jefferson Davis, he replied that the North would lose that argument and the court case against Davis and the South based on the 10th Amendment which allows States to succeed. (only if you have men and power to do so as Lincoln told people in 1861). Little did Lincoln know that the man South Carolin will celebrate this Saturday on his birthday, General Robert E. Lee, would whip their butts for four long years until the South ran out of men and arms and could no longer match in numbers the yankee recruits from overseas!

Mary, Michigan   January 17th, 2008 9:14 am ET

If any of you can remember all the way back to the 2000 presidential race, you'll know why the McCain camp is acting in defense the way it is.

Then candidate George W. Bush (Rove) and the Republican establishment who annointed him went on an all out public ambush on McCain. It was disgusting (and I'm not even a McCain supporter).

Now, guess what? The "swiftboating" has already begun in SC again, with a group of "veterans against McCain" claiming that McCain gave the enemy information while he was held prisoner and beaten for five years in Vietnam.

David   January 17th, 2008 9:10 am ET

Why now ? He could have played the maverick role in 2000, and fought back against the ugliness of the Rove machine.

Scott   January 17th, 2008 9:09 am ET

These process stories can get so dull and are totally irrelevant, especially when they come from some low level adviser and get portrayed as though they come from the candidates themselves.

Shades of the "race war" that never was really.

It's universally acknowledged that the "truth" attacks on Kerry were despicable and I'm definitey in favor of any candidate being able to respond to such spurious claims against their honorable service.

Jen Cedar Falls, IA   January 17th, 2008 9:09 am ET

So, John McCain, do you think terrorists are the victims of American policy, too?
Where's your toughness that you tout?
Seems you really are too old for this scene.
We need a strong leader who doesn't cower under attack.
That leader is Mitt Romney.
John McCain, you and Mike Huckabee repeatedly attacked and chided Mitt Romney during debates in NH and on TV ads.
Mitt stands strong, you are appearing weak.

McCain is too old. Period.

John S. Maine   January 17th, 2008 8:50 am ET

John McCain a victim, I think not hardly? The only thing John McCain is a vitim of selling his parties conservative values out. John McCain has repeatedly worked against party leadership agaisnt core issues such as tax cuts.

I wont fall for John McCains desperate ploys. His campaign is running out of cash, steam, gas, and a convincing message.

I urge McCain supporters to look closely at Governor Mitt Romney he is a sharp leader with many accomplishments under his belt. He has the ability to unite the party and our Country as President. Mitt Romney has my whole hearted support, I have thoroughly vetted him and he is the real deal!

Kevin   January 17th, 2008 8:43 am ET

I think Fred is right. McCain is playing the whoo is me war hero. We all respect him for his service but other than that he is a moderate liberal on the issues and he wants SC to feel sorry for him for losing to GWB in 2000.

Mark Halpert   January 17th, 2008 8:43 am ET

Let us take Karl Rove for what he is

The Greatest Spinner of all time — he never lets the truth get in the way

He spins everything his way — the only way to get George Bush elected twice
was with the devious work of Karl Rove and his BushKlan

Wayne, Greenville TX   January 17th, 2008 8:20 am ET

"The notion that's sort of in the mind of especially the northeast media, that somehow South Carolinians owe John something from 2000, that’s just not true," Galen said. "He didn't just lose by an eyelash here, he lost big."

And he lost big in 2000 because of the dirty tactics of George W. Bush and KKKarl Rove - two "men" who should be vilified for the damage they've caused this country over the past eight years.

AJ, Iowa City, IA   January 17th, 2008 8:15 am ET

Pretty soon we can expect John McCain yelling "SOUL PATROL!!!" Look where that got Taylor Hicks (reference "American Idol" last season… yeah remember him?)

prune juice

Independent in IA   January 17th, 2008 7:16 am ET

But that's what he's good at….playing the victim. Just like he did in Viet Nam when he gave information to his captors in order to obtain medical treatment for his injured knee. Some hero, huh?

AJ; Montpelier, VT   January 17th, 2008 7:10 am ET

OMG…Talk about playing the victim…
Have you seen his latest ad showing himself as a POW. Is that all he has to run on? His former service is appreciated, but he's shown his IQ to be less than adequate to be President. Is there a Bush that he can drag out to be his running mate?

Carrie   January 17th, 2008 6:46 am ET

John McCain is a true American Hero. No one should question his service to our country, both military and public service. I admire his honesty and "tell it like it is" attitude. I have no dought that if he won in 2000, we would not be in this complete mess of today. All the candidates fear Sen. McCain because he does have the most experience. As a democrat, I would vote for him. But, in PA, I can't switch parties during the primaries.

Lori   January 17th, 2008 6:45 am ET

Juan McCain is snarky, whiny and unpresidential.

Jacob, Boston MA   January 17th, 2008 6:42 am ET

TIME magazines headline: "Can the economy save Romney?". My only question to that is: "What are you people thinking over there?" The question should be "Who can save the economy?" It's certainly not Obama or Clinton, certainly not McCain or Huckabee. Who's left I wonder? If the economy is really the #1 issue in this nomination contest, Romney ought to win by a landslide.

maddawg, DC   January 17th, 2008 6:28 am ET

don't stoop to their level john.

you're great the way you are with your vision, experience, knowledge and honor…

DO NOT STOOP TO THEIR LEVEL JOHN…you are not a part of that imbicilic crowd and that's one of the major contributions you will bring to the white house.

keep your focus and stay out of the blame game and name game….focus on the matters that the voters want taken care of…economy, health care, education…all the grounded ideals that you have and stand for.

DO NOT STOOP TO THEIR LEVEL JOHN….it is not you and it does not help anybody in any way.

you have always been above the blind, unintelligent rhetoric that we hear from all these candidates…..

let the single percentage challengers and even the mormon one keep their heads in the mud….DO NOT STOOP TO THEIR LEVEL JOHN.

completely forget about the dems….they have no chance…have you seen who they are putting in front???!!!??? they are doomed…..

so…that said……

DO NOT STOOP TO THEIR LEVEL JOHN!!!

YOU ARE GREAT THE WAY YOU ARE; WITHOUT THE CHILDISH GAMES THE OTHERS WANT TO PLAY!!!

AnaHadWolves   January 17th, 2008 5:57 am ET

The "John McCain Truth Squad"? That's kind of like hanging an air-freshener right next to the toilet, isn't it? The fetid odor is only slightly masked by the bouquet of flowers.

billybob   January 17th, 2008 4:26 am ET

Don't be doin a swiftboatin to ole John Boy. No Willie Horton-in neither. Anybody that can say "friends" every third word and wink every third sentence can't be all bad.

whatsitToyou   January 17th, 2008 3:18 am ET

Poor John getting picked on..Be careful Huck and Thompson, McCain may bomb you..Bomb Where When Who McCain!

Craig   January 17th, 2008 2:49 am ET

McCain is a polished, long-time politician and really knows how to push buttons to work the media, but has almost no chance of becoming the Republican nominee. He has many qualities, but is obviously not very popular with Repulican voters due to his track record on taxes, immigration and many other core issues.

Based on the actual votes so far, he seems to have much more support amongst Independents and Democrats than his own party. It does not bode well for him once the primaries get into states that allow only Republicans.

And, based on the fact that he was seriously challenged and defeated in two states he dominated in 2000 (New Hampshire and Michigan), and very poor showings in the other two (Iowa, Wyoming) McCain's future prospects to become the nominee do not look very promising.

John G   January 17th, 2008 2:33 am ET

Hey now the more personal and scathing the attacks are the more it's apparent that he is a threat…

Dave C - NJ   January 17th, 2008 1:27 am ET

Ahh…give us some issues! ALL of the candidates! Who cares about the mud-slinging and tit-for-tat garbage and defense gurus and goons trying to manufacture an image. Talk about the issues and what you offer. Please ignore the mud, for the love of us all!

Alice Newman Center Harbor NH   January 17th, 2008 1:25 am ET

…. McCain must be on the right track … with Preacher Mike and good o' Fred trailing wherever people are voting or polling - what else can those two do but serve cheese with their whine …

Ron Paul always has more votes than Fred and even a large percentage of Evangelicals voted for McCain in Michigan.

South Carolina believed Rove's nasty, nasty whispers in 2000. If those ghosts are haunting anyone in that state, its not McCain.

Miles Gordon   January 17th, 2008 1:10 am ET

I'm much more concerned about Huckabee and his promise to rewrite the constitution to correspond with "God's law". Surely there is at least one story in that, CNN? Huckabee has a looooooong association with Christian Reconstructionists who want to radically change America so it is governed by Mosaic law - a Christian version of Saudi Arabia. How can you just sit by and let it go unchallenged?????

linda   January 17th, 2008 1:08 am ET

Seth lord Mccain just love to whin. He is 71, but he sure whins like a baby. If he can't handle this, what makes him think he can handle the job of being the President?

McCain PAIN   January 17th, 2008 1:08 am ET

Economy-Romney says JOBS JOBS JOBS

McCain pain - your jobs are not coming back but I can start another WAR

I need a job not a war!

Bam Bam and Hillarios are a couple of clowns, get them some red noses.

Jeremiah Grant, Phoenix, AZ   January 17th, 2008 12:57 am ET

Oh boy, that just makes me laugh. Poor McAmnesty feels picked on.

I say it serves him right. His "Straight Talk Express" took a severe detour this week and fell right off the high road when he launched the horribly misleading NEGATIVE ATTACK AD against Mitt Romney by suggested that Romney had supported tax-payer paid abortions. What a hyprocrite and now he's getting a bit of a payback.

Maybe he can cry in some diner this week and we'll all swoon with pity.

Cathy   January 17th, 2008 12:46 am ET

McCain went through hell in 2000. Agree with his politics or don't but he is a patriot and a hero. The way the "statesman" that was then-Governor Bush disrespected McCain and his family was an absolute disgrace. Does this mean McCain is owed anything now? No, but decency requires that no campaign reach those sort of lows again for McCain or any other candidate. We're all better than this.

David, Oregon City   January 17th, 2008 12:15 am ET

Is it politically correct to talk about McCain’s liberal views and past record yet?

Sarah C. Salim   January 17th, 2008 12:15 am ET

So, Mccain is the best republican candidate… 8 years ago.

aj huntington ny   January 17th, 2008 12:12 am ET

Oh so John is taking a page from Hillary and, when the going gets tough, he's a victim of something or other…

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